Throughout Charlie’s time in the hospital, I kept thinking about his triumphant return to Hollywood Boulevard for our Sunday morning Ouija Board-like game in which he picks a star on the Walk of Fame. It became the image I held of Charlie getting out of the hospital and being well again. He was too weak to go last weekend when we were home but we happily made our way to Hollywood this morning. As if in response to my diss of the NRA in yesterday’s post, Charlie made a beeline for Mr. “From My Cold Dead Hands” himself, Charlton Heston!
Despite some political differences, I do admire a lot of Heston’s work—“Ben-Hur,” “Touch of Evil,” “El Cid,” “Planet of the Apes,” “Soylent Green.” I even organize my Passover seder around Heston’s performance as Moses in Cecil B. De Mille’s “The Ten Commandments.” As I was snapping the above photo, two LAPD officers walked by and stopped to watch Charlie posing on the star. “You know,” one of them said, “if he’s on Charlton Heston, he’d look a lot better holding a Glock!” He had his hand on his pistol and he paused for so long as I was laughing that I started to think that he really was planning to hand his Glock 17 over to my three-year-old! At this point, Charlie also started laughing hysterically and I think the cop may have thought we were both a little nuts. In retrospect, I wish I had asked the two officers to pose on the star with Charlie, damn it, I’m sure they would’ve been happy to do so, they couldn’t have been friendlier. And as I think about it, they must have been convinced that I was some kind of fanatical gun advocate, why else would I be snapping photos of my toddler on Charlton Heston’s star?
It was the perfect re-introduction to our Sunday ritual and made me feel like Charlie’s latest health scare was really and truly over (spit three times). Thank you, Chuck! Who knew he’d have such an impact on my family five years after his death? I can’t think of any previous connections to the actor, other than my obsession with "The Ten Commandments" and the fact that it was his sister, Lila Heston, who handed me my diploma during my graduation from Northwestern.
And to cap off our successful outing, here are a few random shots of Charlie’s previous picks from the Walk of Fame:
Note that after Charlie leaned down in an uncharacteristic way and touched Celeste Holm's star last July (third from the top, above), the first thing I heard on the radio when we got back into the car about an hour later was a report that the actress had died. I'm telling you, Charlie chooses these people for a reason!
pooo! poooo! Pooooo!
Posted by: Peggy Shecket | March 10, 2013 at 04:19 PM
That last paragraph made me go back and examine how Charlie was posed on Heston's star. Laughing hysterically...perhaps the NRA's days are numbered? One can hope.
It's so good to see Charlie out & about & happy!
Posted by: Donna | March 10, 2013 at 05:49 PM
so nice to see these super happy shots of Charlie! What a photo-star!
Posted by: elizabeth | March 10, 2013 at 05:57 PM
Been waiting for this moment. And the stars have been longing for Charlie's little feet.
Posted by: Amba | March 10, 2013 at 06:29 PM
Charlie looks so hip in that cap and outfit!
Posted by: Shari | March 10, 2013 at 07:48 PM
Love this little fellow and the anecdotes you so graciously share with us all!
Posted by: Debbie Voll | March 10, 2013 at 10:02 PM
So good to see that Charlie is home again. Keep us up to date, please. Michael S. (507 Roscoe, 3rd floor 1946-52)
Posted by: Michael Sideman | March 11, 2013 at 02:18 PM
Danny,
I haven't checked this blog in quite some time, and was caught by surprise this morning when I read about the stressful few months you guys have had. I am so relieved Charlie is better. Hugs to you all.
Posted by: Sally | March 30, 2013 at 06:32 AM
so glad the ritual is back.....
he's a precious boy and you guys have been handed an angel on earth...
I know you've been tested but it will keep getting better
Posted by: josh | April 29, 2013 at 01:26 PM